---
{
  "title": "SQL on FHIR: An Introduction",
  "description": "SQL on FHIR: what it is, why it matters for healthcare analytics, and how it lets you query FHIR resources with familiar SQL syntax.",
  "date": "2018-09-06",
  "author": "Nikolai Ryzhikov",
  "reading-time": "5 min read",
  "tags": [
    "SQL on FHIR",
    "Analytics"
  ]
}
---
Last week [Ryan Brush](https://github.com/rbrush) (author of [Bunsen](https://github.com/cerner/bunsen) project) from Cerner published on Github the first version of the [SQL-on-FHIR draft](https://github.com/FHIR/sql-on-fhir). This will be a hot topic to discuss in the upcoming [FHIR Connectathon #19](https://wiki.hl7.org/index.php?title=201809_FHIR_Storage_and_Analytics#SQL_on_FHIR).

The original idea is to develop white papers and/or specs on how to make FHIR and SQL work together for healthcare analytics, because in the near future we expect a lot of patient data will be available in the FHIR format so analysts can leverage the standardized FHIR data model.

Join the discussion in [zulip](https://chat.fhir.org/login/#narrow/stream/73-analytics-on.20FHIR/topic/FHIR.20foundation.20project) and on [github](https://github.com/FHIR/sql-on-fhir/issues)!

> Get started with the Aidbox [FHIR Server](https://www.health-samurai.io/aidbox) for data storage, integrations, healthcare analytics, and more, or [hire our team](https://www.health-samurai.io/services) to support your software development needs.

See also: [SQL on FHIR: What is a ViewDefinition?](/blog/what-is-a-viewdefinition) and [SQL on FHIR: An inside look](/blog/sql-on-fhir-an-inside-look).